Networks

Question

Winxp Pro computers disappear from Network Places

I have a network of five computers, all windows xp pro, no servers or domains, and all in same workgroup. Static IP (manually configured, not DHCP). When I restart my pc I can see all of them in Network Places, then after about 20 minutes, 3 of them (including mine) disappear. I can ping them, and still access mapped drives but can not see them in network places. I have checked ipconfig, ran cdiag, and browstat. XP firewall is disabled, I have KIS 7.0 and tried with and without it disabled with same results. The network has run fine for about 2 years, then about 2 weeks ago the PC's start disappearing.

All Answers

Browser service

Have you checked if the browser service is running on the affected computers? I've seen cases where this service stops running on computers causing them to disappear. If I recall correctly you'll find specific error messages in event viewer and MS has a hotfix for it.

Check

Look at the power saving on the network cards and make sure that it is disabled. You can use Device Manager to change the power management settings for a network adapter. To disable this setting in Device Manager, expand Network Adapters, right-click the adapter, click Properties, click the Power Management tab, and then clear the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power check box.< add a bit >

Done

File and Print sharing is enabled, I can browse the computer shares using \\computername, but the computers do not show up in My Network Places workgroup. The power save feature is disabled on all network cards on the LAN.

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